Apparatus for building concrete walls



July 31, 1951 J. AHART APPARATUS FOR BUILDING CONCRETE WALLS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 20. 1947 Ina 6725507": 175643072 L60 R/Zari" 9 59m July 31, 1951 AHART 2,562,403

' APPARATUS FOR BUILDING CONCRETE WALLS Filed Feb. 20, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 In V672 for Jse v/ 1 290 fZ/zart July 31, 1951 J. L. AHART APPARATUS FOR BUILDING CONCRETE WALLS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 20. 1947 U Y 31, 1951 J. 1.. AHART 2,562,403

APPARATUS FOR BUILDING CONCRETE WALLS Filed Feb. 20. 1947 I Sheets-Sheet 4 FAQ; 6 20 50 22 5 l l l July 31, 1951 J. L. AHART -APPARA'IUS FOR BUILDING CONCRETE WALLS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 20, 1947 Patented July 31, 195i OFFICE "APPARATUS FOR BUILDING ooNoRE'rE WALLS J oseph Leo. Ahart, DowiCi -ty; Iowa Application February 20, 1947, 8 erial 'NoP7-29a697 -'-10 Claims. 11 This invention relates to an apparatus- -forioontinuous forming of'monolithic concretcewalls'and to ai method of form-ing -such walls. -The appar'atus and method -utilize whatis known as a 'slidaing tornfew-Inch::is movecl-= along the wall: as I the wall=is being-constructed. i such sliding form will :"be referred" to' herein sometimes as a" niold.

"nheepresent invention is-=applicable to iorming 'lstr aight walls or: curved walls; and-- either kind of any size and to forming straight and curved w alls -inz'combination.

' There h'avebeemdevicesof this'genera-l nature,

but they fihave all -hadaserious 'vhandicaps. vOne 'vnntable objection 'to previousrdevices f .thiscnature is..that longwertical and horizontal reinforc- "ingarodszcould not easilwand effectivelmbe: embedded in the wall. 1 Theipresent inventioniovercomes thiszserious'obstacle.

Another serious handicap common to :.present so-called sliding forms is that the elements-ref ethe sliding iormx must be loosened'laterally from -the green:concrete beforerelocatingv to a new pcsition. -aMy= invention providesrforaa :for-m which is a, slidinglform in fact which requires no alteration"during operation.

zfiiMyr-novel :methodxof;constructing continuous zconcreteiwallseliminatesithelnecessity for allowiing'itime :forfthe: concretezto-iharden ini'thei consstructi-onz process, thus-veliminating Time-"1055 Of valuable time.

It:- is-.:: therefore:.: an object -Cof--:my invention to "provide:ianrapparatus for constructing 7-, concrete mallswhicnwalls are made dfhigh-early-"strength concrete: which hardens :to great degree soon "attenit'is poured.

:arAnothen-objectotithe present inventionis the :proivision-of: a novel" mold =or;.sliding form for use in. applying; continuousadherent increments ofthe lfWaH.

.e'Anojtherobject'fof'theeinventiontis the=provision of such a mold whereby successive incrementsvoi lithe wall-become firmly-bondedwithieach= other.

Afurthersobjeetris the' provision of such a: new mold or sliding form which camberspeedily placed in continuous successivepositionsfor pouring'adheringfin'crements ofthe wall.

s An addition-al:efeaturesof. the:- sinvention- 1 iscthe adaptability of. mynovelmold to: theiinclusion-of reinforcing steel rods inf-the concretegewhich can ube-placed either horizontally or. vertically: in the "wall.

A further object of 1 this invention iszthe. pro- --v-ision of novel 7. track iimeans and" supporting structure th'erefor to be used in the construction "of straight walls. 'I 'he mold or sliding form above referred" to .is supported on'zitracks and: movable *therealong.

A- 'still fur-then object is-thezrprovisionr-ofnsaid (Cl.-;, 25..-i131) supporting structureandstracks which can beieleevatedaeasilyatoe accommodate :addediincrements in the height of the wall. @Alkfurther .object iofgthe ainvention rise-the; pro- -vision ;of;. aenovelia cornerntormewhich cooperates with the sliding form in formings-icor-nersz of istraightxwal-ls.

An additional object of the invention is theiproivision'vofi movelitrackimeans'Lion: supportingaithe 10 moldsiwhicha,carivbenmaderingreat: lengthspand the construction thereof is such thatzthe spans ofitracks will:.not:sag.

:gzstilleanothen -.:objectiis ithetprovision..zof;ialigning means for long spansBots-track;.foreretainirig l'the tracksinitransversealignment. u

still another object is the provision of ainovel LimO1d-WhlChgllllfifOliming the: corners; ofiistraight walls, can be used on all the walls .of the;;intended building, .randvcooperates with the corner form from both sides"thereof in' forming the corner ofithe-wall.

-St'ill another 'object of thefii-nventioni's theprovision 0f: a nov'ell mold such that a'rnumbeniof nio-lds may be used; on the supportingrztracksiiat thesame time.

' -Still-anoth'er objectof the-invention is the .pro -'-'vision-=of-a novelniold byuse of whichzopeni-ngs, suclr as windows and doors; can be -conveniently iormedzin the-:construction of the wall.

still anothen-advantagezsiot the .inventioni'resides-in theprovisiomot amod-ified forms ofiiapparatus' by which ici'rcular wallslican be -nonstructed byia continuous process. V Another obiectis theprovision-of a' novel m'old for use in eonstructing circular wal1s-suen tnat -the molds can be w curved to; accommodate-the curvature of different' d-iameten circulariwalls.

"*With these a-nd otherobj e'cts in: view-, -my inveritiom consists in the: construction, arrange- 40 'me'nt -'--and ---combination oft-the--various-parts of my device whereby the objects contemplated-are fatt'ai-ne'd as hereinafter more-i full Samoan,

"pointed-out in'my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings; wherein {Figure 1 is a perspectivewi'ewofa-straight wall structure 'built'according to *my; inventionj together; with the apparatusiemployewtherefor;

ZiEigureiZis, a perspective'view; on an enlarged :50am, ofwa portioncof -a cornerbflthe.building'oi TEigure l showing in greaterfdetail jthe; trafclgs,

esupporitings structure and the. mold; Eigure 3-.-is an;.enlarged.-perspective viewifofthe ecornenrmold together; with: the,.-means; ions-sups'zporting the ends .of the tracks atEigure Msanend-view .oi the-moldemployedvin sforming: a straight ewall T, Eignre is a horizontal, sectional viewofea of the post I2. longer than the vertical distance between the corner of a wall showing the corner form and the slidable mold;

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view of a portion of a straight wall showing the slidable mold in position for forming an opening in the wall; v

Figure 7 is an elevational view of a portion of a wall showing the frame for forming an opening in the wall;

Figure 8 is an elevational view of a portion of the track for supporting the mold for forming a straight wall;

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail view of the means for connecting adjacent segments of the upper rail of the track shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is an enlarged detail view showing the means for connecting adjacent segments of the lower rail of the track Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on line IIII of Figure 8;

Figure 12 is an enlarged detail view of the verse alignment;

Figure 13 is a view taken on line I3-I3 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a horizontal section of a portion of a straight wall showing anchoring means for furring strips;

Figure 15 is a side elevational view of a modified form of structure for continuous construction of circular walls;

' aligning means for retaining the track in trans- Figure 16 is a view taken on line I6--I6 of V Figure 15; and

Figure 17 is a view taken on line I'I--II of Figure 15.

The device of Figures 1 to 14 Referring now in detail to the drawings, and particularly to Figure 1, a plurality of upright supporting posts I2 are placed at the corners of theintended wall. Such posts I2 are spaced slightly outwardly of the corners, which spacing will be explained later. The posts I2 are suitably anchored in the ground and retained in plumb position by braces I4. Figure 1 shows a rectangular structure made up of straight walls -I8, in which the longer sides have considerable length. In such cases aligning posts I6 are employed, being spaced appropriately between the supporting posts I2. The aligning posts I6 are suitably anchored in the ground and retained in plumb position by braces I8. The manner in which the aligning posts I6 are employed will be referred to in detail later.

Tracks 20 are supported on the corner supporting posts I2 along the sides of the intended wall. The tracks 20 include upper rails 22 and lower rails 24.

Means for supporting the tracks on the supporting posts I 2 may be understood by reference to Figures 2 and 3. Each corner post I2 is pref- I erably formed of suitable angle iron comprising legs 26 positioned with the concave side of the angle facing the corner of the wall, and the legs of the angle extended in the directions of the segments of the walls forming the respective corner.

A slidable hanger piece 28 of angle iron and of a short length is fitted in the corner post I2, the legs 30 of angle iron 28 fitting against the legs 26 The hanger piece 28 is slightly rails 22 and 24 of the track. A securing strip 32 is welded to the hanger piece 28 across the open side, and the ends of the strip 32 are bent back around the outside of the post I2. The strip 32 secures the hanger piece 28 in the post I2 and permits vertical sliding thereof on the post.

Hooks 34 are welded to the inner surface of the legs 30 of the hanger piece 28, and are turned outwardly transverse to the plane of the legs 26 of the post I2. Such hooks 34 are' provided at both the top and bottom of the hanger piece 28. The rails 22 and 24 of the track are then placed in the hooks 34 and are supported thereby. There need be no additional anchoring means for the tracks 28 on the hooks 34, the tracks merely rest on the hooks. As noted in Figures 1 and 3 the track on one side may extend out beyond the corner and beyond the track on the other side. This relation may obtain in each of the corners successively around the building, and by reason thereof the tracks need not be cut to accurate lengths.

The legs 26 of the post I2 are provided with a plurality of holes 36 spaced vertically a distance equal to the vertical increments to be added to the wall. The legs 38 of the hanger piece 28 are provided with holes in which are inserted pins 38 for adjusting the hanger piece 28 vertically on the post I 2. The pins 38 may, if desired, be secured by cables or chains 48 to the slidable hanger piece 28.

An angle corner form 42 is secured to the slidable hanger piece 28 by means of brackets 44 welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto. The legs of the angle corner form 42 are disposed at right-angles and are joined by a curved portion 46. The corner form 42 is spaced inwardly from the hanger piece 28 and the post I2, as noted particularly in Figure 5, so that the legs of the form 42 form mold surfaces in constructing the wall.

The construction of the tracks 28 is such as to sustain themselves over lon spans, and to sustain a load thereon. The rails 22 and 24 are of tubular construction as shown in Figure 11, and are preferably square in cross section. Figure 8 shows the track 20 in segments, and in each segment the lower rail 24 is slightly shorter than the upper rail 22. Referring to Figure 9, the meeting ends of the adjacent segments of the rail 22 are cut back at the bottom as shown at 48. An insert 59 which may be tubular or solid as desired, is inserted in the meeting ends of adjacent segments of the rail 22. The insert is provided near its center with a button of weld material 52. The segments. of the rail 22 are then fitted together as shown in dot-dash line in Figure 9 and the cut-away portions 48 permit the ends of the segments of the rail to be fitted tightly together. The button of weld 52 prevents the insert 58 from extending too far into one or the other of the rail segments.

The segments of the bottom rail 24 are fitted together similarly to the upper rail, including the employment of inserts 50, but it will be noted from Figure 10 that there is a spacing as indicated at 54 between the ends of adjacent segments. Brackets 56 are welded to the ends of the segments of the rails 24, and a bolt 58 is inserted through the brackets 56. The rails 22 and 24 are provided with vertical reinforcing members 80, welded between the rails, and diagonal thrust rods 62. The thrust rods 62 are provided with bolts for tightening them and aligning the rails of the track vertically. The separate sections of the track can be tightened together by the bolts 58. A load on the track puts the upper rail 22 in compression, which is resisted by the inter-engagement of the ends of struts 60 whereby the track is'f'heldiin'i121381331 .salignm'ent .byfthe' aligning post-:18. Suchalignfingnposts i-lfi mawbe' employed-as desired, cone-s'idering the lengths of. the spans of track. The :hooks -68 have a lateral extent greater than-the -width* of the. strut :60,- .to permit some degree of gplay when the tracle is' angled vertically in the --raising and lowering operations. Such spacings I =-may=be viewediin- Figure .13. T

E The mold for forming the straight wall may 's'ibe" viewed in- Figures 2 and- 4,: and designated generally at Ill. :The mold lfl includes an inner plate 12 and an outer plate-FM. :T-he plates- 12 =-.:and 14 form molding {surfaces substantially c0- :extensive and-facing each other. .The top, bot- *tomand ends ofrathemold are open and un- =obstructed. Theends of the plate 12 are curved fioutwardlynaway from the other plate as-shown at :16. The lower portion of the plate -14 is flat and vertical, and the upperportion'is bent outward1y to form arbaflle 18. *Both plates .12 and =14- may be provided-with: horizontal reinforcing ribs 80 for strengthening purposes.

A pair of vertical-members. 821 are-secured to the outer surfaceof the -plate 14 by means of :brackets 84. The mem-bers .82. are-spaced apart and-spaced inwardlya short distance from the ends of the molds. I-he-- verticalmembers 82 may be reinforced by diagonal pieces 86 if desired. 1 Towardthe top ofthevertical members 82 are arms 88 extending horizontally over the mold and spaced upwardlyifrom the'topthereof.

Bra'ckets 90. are "secured to the arms 88 and extend downwardly "for "securing the plate l2 thereto. The'bra'ckets 98 are securedto'the arms iiicld' :with alseries. 0f holes for adjustment of the'lplates "12' and 14' toward and'away' from each other. 'Apairof*rollers' 92"-are mounted in-the "upper ends of thewertical' members 82. The mold is supported "by the "track" '2 ll by placing therollers82 on the upper' rail" 22. "Retainer clips 94 retain the roller 9 2-'-"'on the*track. The

'rinold' is positioned-"on the inside of the track and determines'the line of'the wallto-be formed.

"The lower'end of the vertical-members82 rest on the inside ofthe lower "rail 24-of the track.

T Use and operation ojthadevice of Figures 1 to 14 The outline ofthe-inten'ded wall ismarked off "and the supporting p'osts l Zare -placed outwai dly toll" of the corners thereof This spacing is sucl'i th'at when the mold HF'is supportedpn the tra'clc'QZil, the mold is pos'itio'ned over the i intended wall, "and-the-sidezplates' 'l2 and 14" ofthe mold-are spaced to the'desired 'thickness of the Wall. YT-he hanger pieces 2 8 onthe supportingposts l2 are positioned at the bttom of the-post's sc -that :the tra'cks 2fi-are in' such position -that the mold -18 rests: on the ground; or s'ubstantially :at the' suri face of the ground.

Concrete is poured in the mold 'w between tthe 2; 75 Wall.

6 1:.plates112-and 'lfigthedoafiie :18..assisting in directing i 'theiconcrete into thesmold. iThezmold 210.:isopen at the; ends; L-thiscisza feature-closelyassociated .vwith'. :the method' aofiperformingany .new. invention.. A concrete: mixtureiin;.plasticsform employed, -.as is .usuaI-Jinr forming concrete walls. .:However,? I have .found that a mixture .having. a low-a water-torcement ratio:.-;forrns the. best; concrete. :5.Suchs.a.-.mixtureriszreadilyiaadaptable-to myrmethod.. A"quantity.zof concrete of a mixture -.;havingalowwaterratioretainsitself more nearly sin; its original; shapeethanemixtures having: high water ratios. When the mold llllris filledcw-ith 3 wconcreteimixture having: aclowrwater" content -itr-idoes; not run out "the.:ends; of the, mold. .Such iawmixtureemay; also she knownras --noslump amixture. lt is; therefore not necessary-to; allow time for setting of'the concretebefore sliding the =inoldalong tel a new, position. 8

"When the mold-"10:12; thus filled',..the--mo1dcan -ibe slid along the =track -20 from-'such-position to the next adjacent position atvone-.-end. -;of :;the first increment. :In such sliding action. the -plates {l2 and M-s-mooththe lateral surfaces of the in .crement j-ust 'poured. When 'thermold isafilled the operator: eliminates-all-of. the voids; andsair pockets in the concrete poured and r d-attempt v is..,-:made to smooth the-upper surfaces-such as byaastrowel. -Although figure-.2 indicates that the upper surface.is smoothasuch illustration.- .is

merely a draftingrepresentation.

I wishrto point out an advantage of the feature .just referred to. It wasnecessary to disassemble .previous'molds vto move them-to a new-position, whilethemold of myinventionremainsa rigid assembledunitthroughout its operation and-may be vmoved alongto a rnew: position without? alteration inany manner.

In forming the corner -.ofa straight wallbuilding, my novel cornerform is--very-efiective aThe zmold is-placedadjacent the cornerepost and the outsider-plate 'lmtofthe-smold -is abutted against the adjacent leg 0f the corner forms-42,

as illustrated in Figure 5. The legs ofthe:.cor -ner=form 42 areaof a length substantially equal outside plate 14 is abutted againstqthe=corner torm-the adjacent curvedendJB of.-.the.- inside "plate 12 is positioned ad-j acent :the inner surface :of the segmentof thewall/forming the other .partyof the -corner. Concrete is .then pOured tin the-:mold, and betweenthe moldvand theicor- -ner form 42. "-A corner in the wall .is thusfformed and the next step is to move-the mold from the railby'lifting it from its-position: on oneuside ."Of the corner andplacing it-on the rtrackwon -the other sideof the cornerain abutting relation to theeopposite leg-of the corner: form 742; Such spositionof theplatesrlz andJMis shown. in dotted rlines in: Figure-5. TheJcurVedkend -TS' atcthe Nopposite'end of the inner -'plate--12 *fits against the *innersurface of: the' corner. The curvature :of the ends =16 -of:.:the xinner plate 72 {formsa a rounded corner of the .wall.'lsimilarlyp the rounded portion 46 of the:c0rner-form.42 forms a' rounded surface 'on'athe' outside of v. the corner. When Walls of-sdifferent r'cthickness' arei-"tocbe rbuilt, :c'or'nerxforms 42' having :idifierent length legs to correspond with the thickness..ofrthe'wall, imay be used. For this'purpose 'the corner forms may she" secured tofthex'h'anger' P1666728 by'mean's "of bolts. The curved portion :46? and ithe' en'ds "TB-10f the"plate.-:12s may bem'adeof ianyzcurvature desired for. arcurve'dkfinishzof the corner' of'sthe After .one increment is poured completely around the wall, the hanger pieces 28 on the posts I2 are raised by removing the pins 38, sliding the brackets upwardly to the next hole 36 thereabove, and inserting the pins 38 in the new positions. The spacing of the holes 36 is the same as the height of one wall increment. In adjusting the hanger pieces 28, the corner forms 42, being secured thereto, are raised also and put in position for the next higher increment of the wall. The vertical extent of the corner mold 42 is the same as the plates '12 and I4 of the mold.

The vertical height of the side plates 12 and I4 of the mold is slightly greater than the vertical increment added, so that when the mold is raised to a higher position, the lower edges of the side plates are slightly below the upper edge of the lower increment. This insures proper alignment and smoothness of the side surfaces of the wall, and better bonding between the increments.

Obviously, if desired the upper and lower pairs of hooks 34 may be on separate pins and individually adjusted. In the latter case, the corner form 42 would be secured to one of the pairs of hooks.

An important feature of the present invention will now be evident, i. e., that long lengths of reinforcing steel rods can be placed in the walls in their formation. Figure 2 illustrates vertical rods 96 inserted in the walls. The molds I may be positioned on one side or the other of the rods 96, and to place the mold in position for the new increment it is lifted off the track and placed on the other side of the vertical rods. The rods 96 may be placed anywhere throughout the length of the mold since the mold has an open top. Similarly, horizontal reinforcing rods may be placed in the wall, such as indicated at 98 in Figure 5. The mold is open from end to end and therefore long lengths of horizontal reinforcing rods 98 may be employed.

Several molds I0 may be used at the same time on the track on one level, to speed construction of the wall.

The mold plates 12 and I4 may be of any desirable material adaptable to forming into plates. In the present instance I preferably use aluminum to eliminate as much weight as possible, and because concrete does not adhere to aluminum readily. However, other materials may be used if desired.

Figure 6 illustrates a manner in which window openings can be formed in the wall. A frame I00 is placed on the surface of the particular increment at the height desired, and the mold plates 12 and I4 are moved up to and slightly beyond the side members of the form I00. After the upper level of the window opening is reached, a reinforcing steel plate I02 (Figure '7) is inserted and the next level of the wall is proceeded with the same as before.

In like manner, horizontal beams may be inserted in the wall by placing the ends thereof on the increment at the desired level and additional increments of concrete poured in place thereabove.

As illustrated in Figure 14, wedge shaped wooden blocks I04 may be inserted in the construction of the wall by placing them in the mold against the inner surface of the inside plate 12. When the mold is removed the exposed surfaces of the blocks I04 will be flush "with the inner surface of the wall, and may be utilized for securing furring strips along the wall. Another method of amxing securing elements in the wall, such as hooks or screws, is to insert such hooks or screws in the inner surface of the wall immediately after removing the mold therefrom and before the concrete has had sufficient time to set.

In adjusting the hanger pieces 28 vertically, it is not necessary to adjust them all in unison; each may be adjusted independently, and in such case the rails 22 and 24 0f the tracks 20 merely ride up on the hooks 34. There is no binding of the rails 22 and 24 on the hooks in such movement.

In any such vertical adjustment of the tracks, the sleeves 64 on th aligning posts I6 merely slide up on the post I 6. The hooks 68 on the aligning sleeves remain in constant engagement with the vertical truss pieces 60. When one corner of the track is elevated and the opposite end remains at its lower position, the track is disposed at an angle. Such angularity is also present in the vertical truss pieces 60 of the tracks, and due to the lateral play between the hooks 68 and the vertical truss pieces 60, such angularity is accommodated.

The tracks may be elevated by placing jacks under the binding strips 32 for raising the hanger pieces 28. A support for the jack may consist of a platform supported in the holes 36 in the post I2 below the hanger piece 28. Such platform may be raised for successive vertical positions of the hanger piece 28.

The thickness of the wall to be formed is determined by the spacing of the plates I2 and I4 of the mold. This spacing may be adjusted by moving the bracket inwardly or outwardly on the arm 88 and placing the bolts in different holes. After the wall has reached the desired height, the last increment is of course smoothed with a trowel for affixing the roof.

The device of Figures 15, 16 and 17 A modified form of apparatus is illustrated in Figures 15, 16 and 17. The present form of apparatus is employed for building circular walls.

A vertical post I06 is supported by a base I08 placed at the center of the intended circular wall. A member III] is slidably supported on the post I06 by means of collars II2. A ring H4 is secured to the bottom of the member III). A pin II 6 placed in one of the holes H8 in the post supports the member III]. The member IIO may be adjusted vertically on the post by placing the in in different holes.

A pair of vertically aligned lugs I20 are formed on the member H0, and pivoted on the lugs I20 are tubular members I22 interconnected at their outer ends by a link I24. A tension spring I26 is secured to the member IIO toward the upper end thereof and to a bolt I28 secured to a bracket at the outer end of the lower tubular member I22. The tension of the spring I26 can be adjusted by the bolt I28, the spring serving-to retain the tubular members I22 in horizontal position. Shafts I 30 are slidably inserted in the tubular members I22 and held in position therein by set screws I32 threaded through the sleeves I 22. The outer ends of the shafts I 30 are secured together by plates I34, extending radially inwardly a considerable distance from the ends of the shafts I30. Welded to the upper edges of the plates I34 is another tubular piece I36. The tubular piece I36 is preferably square in cross nel- -;;piece I4'4,: to which-gis attaehed a plate-145v forming onerofthecsisie plate. 11 21 19 91 The plate; I45 is provided with-a; lon itudin em:

forcin igs p I QG'rWhiChI slida-bly TS CuE l fltfi EE endsn h en s of thetransvers channel member I I I-n A Set-SCIBWnHvfil is-threaded-through-the:

channeljmember I44 :midway 'between cithe ends '20.

thereof "and -eneages:rtheIareinfom ne: trip;;-I was Ad ustmentinwardly Of -:the' set screw-d 5i} bo ws the-plate I46 inwardlyatrthamiddle. Sl0tsima$l beviprovided-in-the endspfr the, channel member; I414, :to ;acc0mmodatevslid ngipins illythefilldSqOfxi the reinforcing strip Mag;

A. ubul r member I 52;; squarezin. rossasec: time, isj telescoped min .;the :tubular :rnernber;v I 3,3; and-extends radially. outwardlyr'beyondahe mold I plate-146.1 A, set SQITBWL'WI ispthreadedtnrough; the-outer end-pf .thatubularzmembenel3'8 afor -x curing thel-memberrl 5l2rain adiusted position. See cutedrtoithe outer end ofyjthe memb er;- I52-gis; a=. depending yoke I56 ,at-Fthe; b0t IlQm1Of whichr secured a transverse:schannelz member I 58?; A;- mold-plate I60; hasvsecuredsthereto azlongitudie. nal: reinforcing stripxI 62 which :isrpivoted "mid-g way/between its ends in :the channelmember 53.; set screws IE4 are threaded. throughthe-extremie" ties of the channel member I 58 :and engage the reinforcing strip I622: Byvacljustingr the setscrews I 64 the outermold plate I50 can be, curved: to; conform tothe curvatureof :the inner "mol-dr plate I46.

The two mold platesrl4fizi'and :IELI"*canzxthushe'lcurved to conform to z, the ."curvature 10f: the: intended wall.

Use and operationpofi the device 30): Figures 1 5,:

4 1 6 and .1 7

The member III] is lowered on the post I06 to a point where tlie-inolti--'plates-I llt and I60 are substant ally at th .-:surf:ace-of.=the emu-mil: 9 11" crete is poured between the moldzplates inythe;= same fashionvas vith the rprevionsiorm. After one increment is thus poured,'the radius arm is swungabout the post I06 so that the mold plates= I46 and I60 are in a position for -pouring a new increment'adjacent the -first.- Another increment of concrete is then-pouredand the process-is continued until one increment in height is-complete'd entirely around-the wall, The member III] is then-elevated to the-next position to raise: the moldplates I IS-and- IBI'I to pour the next successive level-.- The-mold*plates-=I46 and-I60 are preferably of a depth slightly greaterthanone --increment, so-thatin-pouring a newincremerit: the lower edgeso-fthe :mold plates are slightly below theuppev edge ofthe-previous increment below. I 70 Windows can be formed in circular walls similar ,to' i the manner shown --in connection with the straight walls: In swinging the radius about, it is desirable tomove the mold plates out of position to avoid the frames for the windew neninea Thel eimel assaww cle ay be; moyed inwardly or outwardly by sliding the g shafts J30 in thetubularsleeves I22.; Also the. thicknesses-of, thewall can be controlled l by ad-l justing theflmold plates-towardandnaway from each..,ot:her.; By, sliding mhettubular member I38, in the ;sleeve 1 36, and sliding the. member I5 2- :I in-ithe; member -I 3galvariousi positions of the; mold, H and' spacings between the; mold plates, can Teen accomplished. While 1'1 haveaherein shown. and described a preferred embodiment of; my v-invention,, mani a festly it-is, sus ceptible;of; modification and. rear; rangementiof"the pants without departing; from W the: spiritwandcscope thereofn- Ldo not, there fQI' B, -WiSh- ,tOb8 understood as limiting my in ventionsto .t mpr c sel-f rmThe e n d sclosed; .e cept as 1 may be s lirnitedvby the appended: cla mss I fi a miz-i 1. An apparatus for building aconereteswall comprising in combi na-tion, .a plurality of. er;- cal s pp rtsr spae di alon iandi-adiacent nthen. outline offthei intended wall, a track supported on and. :between .sai,d -ver-tical supports, said track being disposedwlaterally ofiset-rfrom andr-adja cen-t tolgthe v path 0f the intendednwall, anda v mold;- coopera-ble with -,sa ida track said. mold have .i in ea main of sspaeed-es deeplat s and having ,tQp, hottonv andfendsr open; ,rollers onsaid mold laterally ofiset with respect thereto and detachablyrengageable with said track ,forisuppor-ting said-{mold thereon,- saidlmoldlbeing disposed-oven, the apaths ofi-zthe wall said mold -being slidable along said (track-tin; a directionlongitudinally of' the: mold,- landmeans -below and extendin along 3; the length ofj-saidtnacleengageable -bY-Sa.id1mQ1d- 1 andeopenative for -retaining said mold-,- inwertical; position. Y Y 2. 1' An 1apparatus fon building a nconcrete wall L I p l g n l-in utl ne c mpr n in c m inati n I auvertical-suppert at:eac h of lthelcor-ners of the intended-Wall, Y tracks supported on and between said-vertical ;supports,, a mold \adapted .to, -be.. v snppprized on and-.slidablealongisaid. tracks, said mold having a pair of spaced side platesipand an angle member ,on eachiof said yerticalsunports, the legs, of .each ang1e member extending in the directions of, the segments of A the wall; .l, iorming the respective. corner, and tonanlextentn.

substanti lly .equalntolthelspacing-betwe n.said-i sidenpl t sisaid an le l-memberswoop rat n wi hin said, side plates, to form n xtension n s id moldwhen. them ldiis diacentt ereto- Aneanparatusl onr uildinena icqn ret lwa lm.

po1yeona1l in ioutlin k compr in in. comb nati m.

a yerticalisupport-at,eachuofjfihe corners ofc th e intended. wallnye ical rn ad ustable s pport n m ans ionn aehh trsaid -v cal rsunpqr r track n upported between said v t c l s po 0 said.

supporting means, armold "adapted to be supj potted 0n andfslidable along said tracks,-said' mold havin a pair of spaced side plates, and angangle meinber on each of, said supporting;- means, the legs of each angle member extend- *ing in the directions of thesegments-pf the wall formingthe respective corner, and to an extent substantially-equal togthe spacing betweensaid said plates, said angle members cooperating with; said side plates to forman extension of said mold when ;the mold is: adjacent thereto, said angle-- 1 members; tracks-andmold being 'movable vertij cally in unison responsive-to vertical adjustment of a "said -"supportin means on said vertical sup- 4 v ports, v I 4: An apparatu's -ior building" a concrete wall? 11 V polygonal in outline, comprising, in combination, a vertical support at each of the corners and on the outside of the intended wall, tracks supported on and between said vertical supports and adjustable vertically thereon, a mold adapted to be supported on said tracks and slidable therealong, said mold having a pair of spaced side plates disposed on opposite sides of the intended wall, said side plates being of substantially equal length, the side plate on the inner side of the intended wall having its ends curved outwardly away from the other side plate, and. an angle member adjustable vertically on each of said vertical supports, the legs of each angle member extendin in the directions of the segments of the wall forming the respective corner, and to an extent substantially equal to the spacing between said side plates of the mold, said angle members cooperating with the side plates of the mold to form an extension of the mold when the mold is adjacent thereto.

5. An apparatus for building a concrete wall, comprising, in combination, a plurality of vertical supports spaced along the intended wall, tracks supported on and between said vertical supports, a mold adapted to be supported on said tracks and movable therealong, and means on each of said vertical supports 'in longitudinal alignment with and cooperating with and formin an extension of said mold when the mold is adjacent thereto.

6. An apparatus for forming a concrete wall, comprising, in combination, a plurality of vertical supports spaced along the intended wall, tracks supported on and between said vertical supports, each of said tracks having a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal members, a mold having hanger means adjacent its top and offset laterally with respect thereto, said hanger means being engageable with one of said horizontal members of said tracks for supporting the mold thereon, the lower part of said mold bearing laterally against a horizontal member below'said one horizontal member, whereby said lower horizontal member supports the mold in vertical alignment.

7. In a track structure for use in an apparatus for forming a concrete wall, a plurality of sections, each section being a self-contained unit, each section comprising a pair of vertically aligned horizontal members, truss members interconnecting said horizontal members, the upper horizontal members of each section being longer than the lower horizontal member of the same section, the adjacent ends of the upper horizontal members of successive sections being in abutting relation and in longitudinal alignment in the assembled track structure, the adjacent ends of the lower horizontal members of successive sections being spaced apart and in longitudinal alignment in the assembled track structure, means operable to retain adjacent upper horizontal members and adjacent lower horizontal members against transverse displacement, and means interconnecting adjacent lower horizontal members and placing them under tension.

8. In a track structure for use in an apparatus for forming a concrete wall, a plurality of sections, each section comprising a pair of vertically aligned tubular horizontal members, truss members interconnecting said horizontal members, the upper horizontal members of each section being longer than the lower horizontal member of the same section, the adjacent ends of the upper horizontal members of successive S cti s being in abutting relation and in longitudinal of successive sections being spaced apart and in longitudinal alignment in the assembled track structure, inserts having portions slidably extending into adjacent ends of the upper horizontal members and in adjacent ends of the lower horizontal members for retaining them against transverse displacement, and means interconnecting adjacent lower horizontal members and placing them under tension.

9. An apparatus for building a concrete wall, comprising, in combination, a plurality of vertical supports spaced along the intended wall, said supports being angle shape in cross section, an angle shape track carrier vertically slidable in each support, means for retaining said track carriers in said supports, hooks extending outwardly from said track carriers laterally beyond said supports, said hooks being arranged in pairs with the hooks of each pair disposed at an angle with respect to each other, tracks detachably supported on said hooks between successive supports, and a mold detachably supported on and slidable alon said tracks.

10. In a track structure for use in an apparatus for forming a concrete wall, a plurality of sections, each section comprising a pair of vertically aligned tubular horizontal members, truss members interconnecting said horizontal members, the upper horizontal members of each section being longer than the lower horizontal member of the same section, the adjacent ends of the upper horizontal members of successive sections being in abutting relation and in longitudinal alignment in the assembled track structure, the adjacent ends of the lower horizontal members of successive sections being spaced apart and in longitudinal alignment in the assembled track structure, inserts having portions slidably extending into adjacent ends of the upper horizontal members and in adjacent ends of the lower horizontal members for retaining them against transverse displacement, each insert having a projection limiting its movement into either of its associated horizontal members, and means interconnecting adjacent lower horizontal members and placing them under tension.

JOSEPH LEO AHART.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 419,450 Jefierson et al Jan. 14, 1890 799,908 Humphrey Sept. 19, 1905 946,233 Larzelere Jan. 11, 1910 947,927 Moats Feb. 1, 1910 955,800 Hotchkiss Apr. 19, 1910 1,482,637 Fergusson Feb. 5, 19 4 1,518,149 Kay Dec. 9, 1924 1,859,136 Goodrich May 17, 1932 1,964,208 Leland June 26, 1934 1,995,692 Urschel Mar. 26, 1935 2,314,468 Urschel Mar. 23, 1943 2,396,174 I-Iawes Mar .5, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 443,115 Great Britain Feb. 21, 1936 494,271 France Sept. 4, 1919 

